PASSENGERS welcomed the resumption of the north-south Welsh airline yesterday.

Flights from RAF Valley to Cardiff resumed after a two-month break when the previous operator ceased operations.

Manx2.com have been awarded a seven-month contract to operate the twice-weekday flights.

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones, one of the 13 passengers on the first southbound flight, said: “I am pleased the service is up and running again. It is a very important service from an economic point of view and the assembly government is committed to maintaining this vital service.

“We look forward to working with Manx2.com to build on its success."

The service was previously run by Highland Airways from May 2007 until March and carried more than 37,000 passengers.

Anglesey Council leader Clive McGregor said the airlink was the “last part in the jigsaw to link Anglesey to the rest of the world”.

“We would like to see new destinations added,” he said.

Ieuan Wyn Jones added: “The new tender will be issued soon and we hope to be able to develop the service.

“We have to balance the needs of the passengers with the level of subsidy required in order to secure the best value for money.”